Fake and counterfeit cosmetics are sneaking into the market

Large consumption volume and high profits have made cosmetics a target for counterfeiting and counterfeiting by illegal entities. In addition, the production and trade of homemade cosmetics and home-made cosmetics tend to flourish.

Mr. Ta Manh Hung - Deputy Director of the Department of Drug Administration, Ministry of Health - spoke at the workshop - Photo: S. VAN

Mr. Ta Manh Hung - Deputy Director of the Department of Drug Administration, Ministry of Health - said so at the workshop "Cosmetics: From declaration, production to quality assurance", organized by Tien Phong newspaper in coordination with the Ministry of Health and related units on August 25 in Ho Chi Minh City.

The cosmetics industry in Vietnam has been growing rapidly in recent years, with the size of the Vietnamese cosmetics market reaching 2.3 - 2.5 billion USD (by 2024), with an average annual growth rate of 10 - 15%.

According to Mr. Hung, the cosmetics market is mainly concentrated in large cities and mainly depends on imports, with about 80 - 90% of cosmetics consumed being imported goods, domestically produced cosmetics still lack technology, research and branding.

Cosmetics are mainly distributed through supermarkets, pharmacies, spas, cosmetic stores, e-commerce platforms (Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop...), in which online channels account for an increasingly large proportion.

Dr. Nguyen Vu Hoang, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital, said that as life improves, the need for beauty is increasing. In recent years, the number of patients suffering from side effects and skin complications due to using cosmetics of unknown origin or poor quality cosmetics coming to Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital for treatment has tended to increase in both number and severity.

Patients use cosmetics of unknown origin due to lack of knowledge in choosing products, and the desire for quick improvement, low cost, and easy access.

Cosmetics and beauty products account for over 20% of total online retail sales

Ms. Le Thi Ha - Head of E-commerce Management Department, Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy, Ministry of Industry and Trade - said that according to a survey by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the proportion of consumers buying cosmetics through e-commerce platforms in Vietnam accounts for more than 60%, especially popular on platforms such as Shopee, TikTok Shop, and social networks (Facebook).

E-commerce business still has the problem of counterfeit goods, fake goods, goods of unknown origin and complicated developments; with cosmetic products, there are many sophisticated violations such as brand imitation, counterfeit goods, goods without product declaration, goods with false advertising effects or acts of taking advantage of livestreaming to sell poor quality products.

These behaviors not only cause economic damage to consumers but also pose a potential risk of directly affecting public health.

However, control is facing many difficulties as the current legal framework only stops at decrees, lacking a comprehensive enough law.

THUY DUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/my-pham-gia-nhai-dang-nup-bong-tuon-ra-thi-truong-20250825153908726.htm